The Origin of the Idiom “南辕北辙” (Nan Yuan Bei Zhe)
If you’re asking where does the idiom ‘ 南辕北辙 ‘ come from, here’s the answer: The idiom “南辕北辙” (nán yuán běi zhé) comes from the Strategies of the Warring States (战国策). It tells a simple story about a man who went the wrong way to reach his goal.
The Full Story:Where Does ‘ 南辕北辙 ‘ Come From?
Long ago in ancient China, there was a rich man.
He wanted to go to the southern state of Chu.
He got in his carriage and told his driver to head north.
A friend saw him and asked, “Chu is south. Why are you going north?”
The man smiled and said, “I have a strong horse. It can run very fast.”
His friend warned him again, “Your horse is strong, but you’re going the wrong way.”
The man said, “I have plenty of money for the trip.”
He didn’t listen to his friend.
In the end, he got farther and farther from Chu.
This is the story that answers the question: where does the idiom ‘ 南辕北辙 ‘ come from?
What Does “南辕北辙” Mean? (Answering Where It Comes From)
The literal meaning is “driving north with the cart pointing south.”
Figuratively, it means your actions are the opposite of your goal.
It warns people to align their efforts with what they want to achieve.
Now you know where the idiom ‘ 南辕北辙 ‘ comes from and what it teaches us.
How to Use “南辕北辙” in a Sentence?(From Where It Comes From)
- Studying hard but skipping exams is like 南辕北辙.
- He wants to save money but buys expensive things—this is 南辕北辙.
- If you want to lose weight but eat junk food every day, that’s a classic case of 南辕北辙.
Related Chinese Idioms
Learn more about the Strategies of the Warring States on Wikipedia